“野鸡项目” 、“成人教育” ？美国大学SPS继续教育学院，究竟水不水？

之前，有一位哥伦比亚大学sps学院毕业回国发展的同学分享。他同时申请了哥大的两个不同学院下的两个不同专业，其中有一个就是SPS学院。相对来说，他最感兴趣的专业开设在SPS学院下，但是同时他也有不少跟上面一样的顾虑，纠结了一段时间。但是最后，他通过对比两个学院学生所用的学籍和教务系统发现，这与哥大其他学院的配置完全一致，由此可见，SPS完全属于正常的学院管理系统，并不会被区别对待。

没有了疑虑的他毅然决然选择了SPS学院这边最感兴趣的专业，后来在临近毕业的时候就已经落实好了国内的工作，单位领导也非常认可和器重他。他承认，除了个人的努力，学历的加持带来了不少的作用。在收到电子毕业证后，他也顺利完成了中国教育部留学服务中心的学位的认证证书。

同时他还表示：哥伦比亚大学SPS学员颁发的证书除了除了左下角有写SPS，表明是哪个学院毕业的（全校都如此），其他别无二致，大家可以放心。而据知乎上知友的反馈，哈佛 ExtensionSchool 跟其他学校的 SPS 还是略有区别的。哈佛大学 Extension Schoo 的学位证书会带有 “Masterof … in Extension School” 字样。其他学校的 SPS 学院颁发的学位证书，均只显示硕士种类（“Master of …”）。

Dear GuanNan,

Thank you for contacting Harvard Extension School!I want to know whether master degree programs arespecially designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers through graduate study orundergraduate students currently studying in college?You have to have earned a bachelors degree beforestarting graduate level work here at the Harvard Extension School. Our graduate programs are typically gearedtoward working professionals but are open to anyone who has earned a bachelors degree.Are there somedifferences with course offerings between master programs offered at other schools and extension?I cannotspeak to offerings at other universities but we have a unique process here that I have outlined below.

Harvard Extension School degree programsoffer students a flexible, affordable opportunity for academic andprofessional advancement. We have a non-traditional admissions process that varies slightly by program. Unlikeother programs where students apply, are admitted, and then start taking courses, the basic admissionrequirement for all of our degree programs is that students take courses first. We care more about currentacademic performance than past academic performance.

Students will need to complete two or three Harvard Extension School courses towards admission, and meet theGPA requirement for the degree program before applying. The degree courses vary by program and counttoward the completion of a degree.On the website, students will find detailed application and admissionrequirementsfor each field of study.

Are there any requirements for applicants’ education background?

The only requirements are that students must have earned their bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling ingraduate courses towards their degree.

Additionally, students whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency. For acomplete list of appropriate ways to fulfill this requirement, please see English Proficiency. Please note, thisrequirement must be met regardless of educational or professional background.Every student is required tomeet enrollment policiesand consult individual course descriptions for prerequisites or placement tests. Is GREor GMAT score required or recommended?No tests are required to be eligible for admission to the HarvardExtension School. If I am currently an undergraduate student in the United States, will I have to take the TOEFLtest or waive it? You would not have to take a TOEFL test to prove English proficiency if you submit an officialtranscript showing completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree from a college or university in the UnitedStates at which English is the sole language of instruction.

I hope you found this information helpful. If you have any other questions please feel free to reach out!Regards,

Walter Wrigley

Enrollment Services

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

51 Brattle Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 495-4024

Dear GuanNan,

Thank you for your email and interest in our program.

We have multiple formats for the MS program with slightly different application requirements and deliveryformats, depending on the candidates experience and needs.

• The Full-Time cohort, typically have 0-10 years of experience (can have more). If a senior in undergrad, needsto have 2 years of experience.

• Part-Time: typically have 3-8 years of experience. Flexible evening courses for people working fulltime. Some online options may be offered, but majority will be on-campus.

• Executive: typically have 6+ years of communication experience in a leadership role (typically director level orabove)

• SF (San Francisco): typically have 3-8 years of experience.

About Full Time MS in Strategic Communication

The M.S. in Strategic Communicationis a full-time program intended to prepare students with 1-5 years ofprofessional experience for a career-track job in communications. The curriculum includes courses to provideyou with a foundation of analytical skills, storytelling know-how, audience understanding, and an internship. Theoptional internship will provide you with invaluable real-world professional experience as a member of acommunications firm in New York City. The courses will give you a solid grounding in the philosophies,practices, and skills necessary to be successful at every level of your future career. Additionally, this is a full-timeprogram that meets the eligibility requirements for an F-1 student visa. You can read more about the M.S. inStrategic Communication curriculum here.

The application consists of the following:

1. The online application

2. Application fee

3. Official transcripts

4. Three letters of recommendation

5. A professional resume

6. Statement of academic purpose

7. Supplemental essay

8. GRE scores

9. Admissions Interview

10. If English is not your native language, you will need to submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score

You can review these application materials here. Please let me know if you have any additional inquiries.About Executive MS in Strategic Communication

The Executive M.S. in Strategic Communicationis a part-time, 16-month program that focuses on the criticalthinking, analysis, and practical skills essential to developing and implementing communications strategies thatadvance an organization’s goals and mission. Most applicants are currently in a communications role, and aminimum of six years of experience is required. The Executive Master of Science in Strategic Communications isan intensive, accelerated, graduate-level education program for motivated individuals who have alreadydemonstrated professional leadership. The program seeks high-potential applicants who have demonstratedsubstantial accomplishment and professional achievement in his or her field.

The program has a combination of on-campus and online instruction. The on-campus instruction includes 3residencies, weekend sessions and summer electives. Between residencies, students attend on-campus courseson Saturday sessions during each term. As mentioned, on-campus attendance is mandatory for all residencies,as well as on-site Saturday and Sunday sessions. When not meeting on campus, students are required to beactive through our online platform. They should be prepared to spend 20-25 hours outside of class every weekto complete assigned readings, work on projects, and participate with work groups.

The application for this program consists of the following:

1. The online application

2. $95 application fee

3. Official transcripts

4. Two letters of recommendation

5. Professional resume

6. Statement of academic purpose (750 words max.)

7. Supplemental Essay (250 words max.)

8. Students whose native language is not English must include proof of English proficiency.

For more information regarding the application instructions and requirements, please visit our website.Regards

SCOM Team